Things to do in Ecuador

25 things to do in Ecuador

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Watch sunrise over the Inca ruins of Ingapirca

  Stand among the perfectly cut stones of Ecuador's largest Inca archaeological site as the first light illuminates the Temple of the Sun. A serene moment connecting you to the ancient empire.

  Ingapirca, Cañar Province

• Hike around the crater lake of Quilotoa

  Trek the rim of a stunning turquoise volcanic crater lake, descending to the water's edge or completing the full loop for breathtaking views of the Ecuadorian Andes.

  Quilotoa, Cotopaxi Province

• Explore the Amazon rainforest in Yasuní National Park

  Navigate blackwater tributaries, encounter howler monkeys and pink river dolphins, and learn from indigenous communities in one of Earth's most biodiverse reserves.

  Yasuní, Orellana Province

• Stroll the colonial streets of Quito's Old Town

  Walk through the best-preserved historic center in Latin America, where ornate churches, grand plazas, and centuries-old mansions line the narrow cobblestone lanes.

  Quito

• See the swing at the End of the World in Baños

  Fly out over a steep gorge on a simple swing at La Casa del Árbol, with the Tungurahua volcano looming behind. An exhilarating photo stop with no barriers.

  Baños de Agua Santa, Tungurahua

• Taste authentic ceviche at Mercado Central in Quito

  Join locals at the bustling market for a bowl of fresh shrimp or fish ceviche, topped with crunchy corn nuts and served alongside a cold beer.

  Quito

• Visit the Middle of the World monument

  Straddle the equatorial line at Mitad del Mundo and perform hands-on experiments that supposedly work differently here, like balancing an egg on a nail.

  San Antonio de Pichincha

• Ride the Devil's Nose train

  Cling to the cliffs aboard Ecuador's most famous railway, zigzagging down a sheer mountainside on a restored section of the old Trans-Andean route.

  Alausí, Chimborazo Province

• Discover the cloud forest waterfalls of Mindo

  Hike lush trails to tumbling cascades like the Reina waterfall, then ride the tarabita (cable car) over a canopy teeming with orchids and vibrant birds.

  Mindo, Pichincha Province

• Explore the Pumapungo Inca ruins in Cuenca

  Wander the remains of the Incan city of Tomebamba with its terraces, aqueducts, and reconstructed temple to the sun, set in a peaceful botanical garden.

  Cuenca

• Witness the hummingbird spectacle at Guango Lodge

  Photograph up to 16 species of hummingbirds, including the sword-billed hummer, as they buzz around feeders just a short stop from the Papallacta hot springs.

  Papallacta, Napo Province

• Climb Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes

  Tackle the glaciated summit of the perfectly cone-shaped Cotopaxi (5,897 m), a true mountaineering challenge that rewards climbers with a view of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

  Cotopaxi National Park

• Take a dolphin-watching mangrove tour in Puerto El Morro

  Glide through the channels of the Gulf of Guayaquil to spot bottlenose dolphins, frigatebirds, and red mangroves, just a short drive from the city.

  Puerto El Morro, Guayas

• Sample bean-to-bar chocolate on a cacao farm tour

  Walk among ripe cacao pods, taste the fresh white pulp, and see the traditional fermentation and roasting process before creating your own chocolate, in the Mindo cloud forest.

  Mindo, Pichincha Province

• Marvel at the gothic spires of Basilica del Voto Nacional

  Climb the clock towers and narrow ladders of this neo-Gothic masterpiece, encountering gargoyles shaped like native animals and a sweeping panorama of Quito.

  Quito

• Wander the colorful hillside of Las Peñas in Guayaquil

  Ascend the 444 steps through a Bohemian district of restored wooden houses and art studios, ending at the lighthouse on Cerro Santa Ana for a view of the Guayas River.

  Guayaquil

• Soak in the thermal waters of Papallacta

  Relax in naturally heated pools surrounded by high Andean páramo, with steam rising into the crisp air, a perfect apres-trek recovery near Quito.

  Papallacta, Napo Province

• Uncover the pre-Inca pyramids of Cochasquí

  Walk among 15 truncated pyramids built by the Quitu-Cara culture, an immense archaeological complex with astronomical alignments and panoramic views of the northern sierra.

  Cochasquí, Pichincha Province

• Hike around the Cuicocha crater lake

  Circle a pristine lake inside a collapsed volcano, with two lush islets in the center and the mighty Cotacachi peak as a backdrop, on a well-marked trail.

  Cotacachi, Imbabura Province

• Experience Quito's nightlife in La Mariscal

  Join the lively crowd around Plaza Foch, where streets fill with open-air bars, salsa clubs, and live music venues that keep the party going into the early hours.

  Quito, La Mariscal

• Shop for artisan treasures at Otavalo Market

  Bargain for colorful textiles, hand-carved masks, and alpaca sweaters at South America's largest indigenous market, where the Saturday spectacle overflows into Plaza de los Ponchos.

  Otavalo, Imbabura Province

• Catch a wave and a sunset in Montañita

  Surf the consistent breaks off this bohemian beach town, then kick back with a cocktail at a thatched-roof bar as bonfires dot the sand.

  Montañita, Santa Elena

• Meet the Saraguro indigenous community in Loja

  Visit a proud highland community known for its distinctive black wool attire and deep traditional knowledge, offering homestays and handmade jewelry workshops.

  Saraguro, Loja Province

• Hike to the Whymper refuge on Chimborazo

  Ascend to the base camp of Ecuador's highest peak, standing at 5,000 meters and feeling the thin air, with the chance to later push toward the second-highest summit on Earth if you're acclimatized.

  Chimborazo, Chimborazo Province

• Dine on hornado (roast pig) at Cuenca's Mercado San Francisco

  Join the lunch crowd at this bustling market stall to carve into succulent slow-roasted pig with crackling skin, served with llapingachos and mote.

  Cuenca